Oliver North

In 1981 he was inducted into the National Security Council (NSC), where he supervised the mining of Nicaraguan harbours in 1983, an air-force bornbing raid on Libya in 1986, and an arms-for-hostages deal with Iran in 1985 which, when uncovered in 1986 (Irangate), forced his dismissal and conviction on charges of obstructing Congress, mutilating government documents, and taking an illegal gratuity; he was fined $150,000.

He was born into a San Antonio, Texas, miliary family, and was a graduate of the US Naval College, Annapolis.

He led a counter-insurgency Marine platoon in the Vietnam War (1968-1969), winning a Silver Star and Purple Heart before returning home wounded. After working as a Marine instructor, as well as participating in a number of overseas secret missions, he became the NSC deputy director for political military affairs.

Why is Oliver North famous?

Oliver North is a former Marine Corps officer and political commentator.